Alec Baldwin could be ‘charged again’ in Rust shooting

Alec Baldwin could be charged again in fatal Rust shooting as new report claims the actor pulled trigger, which killed the film’s cinematographer.

Alec Baldwin could still be charged over the Rust shooting. Picture: AFP

Alec Baldwin could be charged again in the fatal shooting of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins after a bombshell new gun analysis concluded that the trigger was pulled — despite the actor’s repeated denials.

According to the New York Post, experts in ballistics and forensic testing based in Arizona and New Mexico released a report examining the Colt .45 revolver used on set and markings it left on a spent cartridge.

The analysis found that the trigger had to have been either pulled or depressed.

Alec Baldwin could still be charged with the deadly shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust in 2021. Picture: AFP

“Although Alec Baldwin repeatedly denies pulling the trigger, given the tests, findings and observations reported here, the trigger had to be pulled or depressed sufficiently to release the fully cocked or retracted hammer of the evidence revolver,” reads the report led by Lucien Haag of Forensic Science Services in Arizona.

“This fatal incident was the consequence of the hammer being manually retracted to its fully rearward and cocked position followed, at some point, by the pull or rearward depression of the trigger,” the experts continued.

Alec Baldwin is pictured in the car park of a Santa Fe police station after the death of Halyna Hutchins. Picture: Jim Weber/Santa Fe New Mexican

The analysts relied on replacement parts to reassemble the gun, pieces of which were broken during earlier testing by the FBI.

New Mexico special prosecutor Kari Morrissey handling the Rust case said in an email Tuesday that a formal announcement on whether to refile any charges against Baldwin is pending but did not give a timeline.

Baldwin, 65, has maintained that the revolver discharged accidentally after he followed instructions to point it toward Hutchins, who was behind the camera during rehearsal while filming the low-budget Western.

Halyna Hutchins with her friend, Serge Svetnoy. Picture: Supplied

Baldwin insisted that he pulled back the hammer — but not the trigger — and the Colt fired, fatally striking Hutchins in October 2021, on set on the outskirts of Santa Fe.

Special prosecutors dropped an involuntary manslaughter charge against Baldwin in April without prejudice, citing information that the revolver might have been modified before the shooting and malfunctioned.

They commissioned the new analysis of the gun, along with other weapons and ammunition from the set of “Rust,” and wrote in a June court filing that Baldwin could still face charges.

– with the New York Post

Originally published as Alec Baldwin could be ‘charged again’ in Rust shooting